AND THE WINNER IS…

Written By Mike Greenblatt
Kate Kortum

Kate Kortum

Houston’s Kate Kortum—now living in Harlem—is the winner of the 14th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Known as “The Sassy Awards” for the Newark legend’s nickname, and judged, in part, by Montclair bass pioneer Christian McBride. Kate competed with four other finalists onstage at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center downtown Newark on November 23. Over 200 entrants from 27 countries vied for the honor. She sang Bessie Smith’s “Easy Come Easy Go Blues,” Billie Holiday’s “What A Little Moonlight Can Do” (listen below) and David Ashley Trent’s “You’ve Been There.” From bebop to The Great American Songbook, Kate swings.

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Mike Greenblatt

MIKE GREENBLATT has been writing for Goldmine magazine and New Jersey's Aquarian Weekly for more than 35 years. His writing subjects fill the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

He's interviewed Joe Cocker, Graham Nash, David Crosby, Carlos Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Johnny Cash, and members of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. He was 18 when he attended Woodstock in 1969.

In addition to writing about music, Greenblatt has worked on publicity campaigns for The Animals, Pat Benatar, Johnny Winter, Tommy James and Richard Branson, among others. He is currently the editor of The Jersey Sound.

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